KARACHI: The entire team of Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) is working tirelessly in order to complete amendments in WeBOC, computerised system and install all modules of One Customs into WeBOC for facilitating all the stakeholders including importers and exporters.
This was stated by Project Director (PD) Directorate of Reforms and Automation, Syed Tanveer Ahmad in an exclusive interview with Customs Today at his office.
The PD Directorate of Reforms and Automation said that the team of WeBOC has completed 80 per cent work in order to bring amendments in the system.
Ahmad confirmed that the entire WeBOC system would work smoothly and transition would be made within six months.
Replying to a question, Project Director Tanveer Ahmad said that all stakeholders including Customs agents have been taken into confidence before making amendments in WeBOC.
To a query, Project Director Reforms and Automation assured that none of the WeBOC-related issues in WeBOC left unattended as the officials had been working with great determination on each and every module of the computerised system.
Elaborating the features of WeBOC, Ahmad said that it is the paperless system of Pakistan Customs which provides real time integration of clearing agents, traders, brokers, terminal operators, cargo handlers and Customs officials for the clearance of trade consignments.
“The Directorate of Reforms and Automation is focused on single window operating system through WeBOC, where the efficiency of Pakistan Customs could be increased while minimizing the dwell time”, he added.
The Project Director of Directorate of Reforms and Automation made it clear that the Pakistan Customs wants to simplify the procedures for traders and other stakeholders and ensure transparency and integrity in the system.
Responding to a query, Ahmad informed that the importers can get pre-vessel information through WeBOC and also file their online manifest and online Goods Declarations (GDs).
“The facilities of Personal Deposit (PD) Account, automated duty management, examination and assessment and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) would also be available in WeBOC”, he added.
Replying to a question, Ahmad said that the WeBOC team has completed induction of ATT modules in WeBOC and an ID would be given to those Customs agents who were working with Afghan Transit cargo.
He further informed that the ATT routes and check posts have also been inducted in WeBOC in order fulfill the directives of FBR chief Tariq Bajwa.
Tanveer Ahmad further informed that the team of Directorate of Reforms and Automation has already transferred the modules including exports, gems, jewellery, baggage and auction from One Customs to WeBOC for the facilitation of the trade bodies.
Replying to a question, the Project Director said that the issues of the representatives of trade bodies including importers, customs agents and others would be redressed soon.
“We have held several meetings with the high officials of all three collectorates i.e. MCC-Appraisement (West), MCC-Appraisement (East) and MCC-Port Muhammad Bin Qasim in order to apprise them about the amendments being made in WeBOC and also take recommendations from them”, he added.
To a query, Ahmad further said that the Directorate of Reforms and Automation would take all viable recommendations of all stakeholders including Customs Agents Association seriously. “We have identified those modules which were not installed in One Customs as per SRO 492 and Section 22 of the Customs Act, 1969”, he added.
He further informed that the Directorate of Reforms and Automations has also elaborated bulk cargo issue, DTRC, warehousing and export oriented modules in WeBOC.
He further said that the Directorate of Reforms and Automations has pointed out 157 issues related to WeBOC and classified into four categories including glitches, proposals to strengthen the control, facilitative measures and proposals which cannot be implemented in overall WeBOC scheme.
Replying to a question, the PD asserted that most of the issues have been resolved and the top most priority of the Directorate is to settle the issues being faced by exporters, importers, Customs agents and other stakeholders.
Ahmad further informed that the Directorate of Reforms and Automation has also held several training seminars for the awareness of the stakeholders.
